Phillips told investigators she was inside the home and did not know who shot her boyfriend. The case eventually went cold.

But about seven months ago, detectives determined that new technology could be used to analyze stored physical evidence. Wolter said that evidence -- she did not name what it was -- helped link Phillips to the crime.

Prosecutors ended up filing perjury charges against both Phillips and her 35-year-old daughter, Tanoya Phillips, after they went through an investigative subpoena process.

In investigative subpoena, those under oath are required to testify truthfully. If prosecutors think they are not, they can be charged with perjury.

In this case, the perjury charge carries a penalty of up to life in prison because the original case was a homicide.

Wolter said Joyce Phillips ultimately confessed to the shooting.

Wolter said the case may have been handled differently if Phillips had told the truth from the outset.

"She certainly had some reason to be concerned with Mr. Richardson," he said. "Maybe it could have a self-defense issue at the time.

Phillips and Richardson had "some altercations" the evening before the shooting and police had responded to complaints involving the two in the past.

"It was just a really volatile relationship," Wolter said. "There was evidence that there had been some knock-down, drag-out fights between the two."

Prosecutors say the perjury charges against Tanoya Phillips are not directly related to the Richardson homicide, but alleged false statements she made about other matters while under oath.